Gaming machine and gaming system

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine  310  includes a plurality of gaming terminal devices having control panels operated by a player, wherein the player plays a game upon payment of a game value. Furthermore, the gaming machine  310  includes: cumulative storage means that stores a plurality of kinds of cumulative values on a per unit game basis at a predetermined rate in response to medals; event value achievement determination means that determines whether or not any of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulative storage means has achieved an event value pre-set for each of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and event activation means that activates an event corresponding to the event value achieved, when the event value achievement determination means determines that the event value pre-set is achieved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based upon and claims a priority from prior JapanesePatent Application No. 2003-316020 filed on Sep. 8, 2004, the entirecontents of which are incorporated Herein by reference. This applicationis related to co-pending U.S. applications claiming priorities forJP-2003-316021 to filed on the even date with this application,International Application No. PCT/JP/03/11439, PCT/JP/03/11440,PCT/JP/03/11441, and filed on Sep. 8, 2003 in Japan. The co-pendingapplications are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that A plurality ofplayers can participate in playing, wherein player interest is enhanced.

2. Description of the Related Art

A bingo game machine is generally known as a gaming machine placed in agame arcade. In the bingo game machine of this type, a bingo card havingeach cell of a matrix assigned with any piece of identificationinformation is displayed on a display of each player. And, a piece ofidentification information is selected at random from among a pluralityof pieces of identification information. Thus, the game proceeds as acell corresponding to the selected identification information isactivated. On the condition that an assemblage of the activated cellsforms a predetermined display mode after such a step is repeated apredetermined number of times, e.g., all the cells arranged linearly inany one of vertical, horizontal and diagonal directions become active,i.e., that bingo is won, a game value such as a medal is awarded as apayout to the winning player.

Such a bingo game machine, whose rule is easy to understand for abeginner, can allow the beginner to easily approach the game. On thecontrary, the predetermined display mode is so simple that the payout tobe awarded to the player cannot be made high. Besides, since all theaforesaid predetermined modes have substantially the same pattern, it isdifficult to provide a difference in payout. According to the aforesaid,in such a bingo game, it is difficult to provide a payout equivalentenough to award a large amount of game value. Accordingly, there is therisk of reducing the interest of players dedicating efforts toincreasing a game value.

As a method of solving such a problem, there are known the method ofactivating events serving as the chance of increasing the game value inhigh amounts, e.g., jackpots during a game, and like method (e.g., seeJP-A-2002-78862). As a specific bingo game machine, there is a bingogame machine configured such that the information of jackpots isdisclosed to the players and a jackpot is activated when the numericalvalue of a certain item (e.g., an inputted or inserted game value)reaches a fixed value or more.

However, in the aforesaid gaming machine, the players often stop playingthe game after the jackpot is activated. The reason is that the playersknow by experience that it is highly possible that another jackpot doesnot activate immediately after a jackpot is activated. Particularly,when the information of jackpots is always disclosed, such a tendencybecomes remarkably high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been made in view of such problems as aforesaid, andan object thereof is to provide a gaming machine in which a plurality ofkinds of events serving as the chance of increasing a game valueactivate independently one of another.

To achieve such an object as above, the gaming machine of the inventionprovides such configurations as follows.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gamingmachine that includes a plurality of gaming terminal devices havingcontrol panels operated by a player and on which the player plays a gameupon payment of a game value, the gaming machine including: a cumulativestorage unit that stores a plurality of kinds of cumulative values on aper unit game basis at a predetermined rate in response to the gamevalue; an event value achievement determination unit that determineswhether or not any of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values storedby the cumulative storage unit has achieved an event value pre-set foreach of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and an eventactivation unit that activates an event corresponding to the event valueachieved, when the event value achievement determination unit determinesthat the event value pre-set is achieved.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of eventsserving as the chance of increasing the game value activateindependently one of another. Accordingly, even when an event activates,there is the possibility that the next event activates immediately.Therefore, the expectation of the player for the events is maintained,thus making it possible to avoid the emergence of a player who stops thegame after an event activation.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided agaming system that includes control panels operated by players and thatincludes a plurality of gaming terminal devices on which the playersplay a game upon payment of a game value and a game server fortransmitting/receiving the data of the game from the plurality of gamingterminal devices, wherein the gaming terminal devices each includes agame value data transmission unit that transmits to the game server thedata of the game value paid by the players, and the game serverincludes: a game value data receive unit that receives the data of thegame value transmitted by the game value transmission unit; a cumulativestorage unit that stores a plurality of cumulative values on a per gamebasis at a predetermined rate in response to the game value received bythe game value data receive unit; an event value achievementdetermination unit that determines whether or not any of the pluralityof kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulative storage unit hasachieved an event value pre-set for each of the plurality of kinds ofcumulative values; and an event activation unit that activates an eventcorresponding to the event value achieved, when the event valueachievement determination unit determines that the event value pre-setis achieved.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a gamingsystem that includes control panels operated by players and thatincludes a plurality of gaming terminal devices on which the playersplay a game upon payment of a game value and a game server fortransmitting/receiving the data of the game from the plurality of gamingterminal devices, wherein the gaming terminal devices each includes: acumulative storage unit that stores a plurality of cumulative values ona per game basis at a predetermined rate in response to the game value;and a cumulative value data transmission unit that transmits to the gameserver the data of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored bythe cumulative storage unit, and the game server includes: a cumulativevalue data receive unit that receives the data of the plurality of kindsof cumulative values transmitted by the cumulative value datatransmission unit; an event value achievement determination unit thatdetermines whether or not any of the plurality of kinds of cumulativevalues received by the cumulative value data receive unit has achievedan event value pre-set for each of the plurality of kinds of cumulativevalues; and an event activation unit that activates an eventcorresponding to the event value achieved, when the event valueachievement determination unit determines that the event value pre-setis achieved.

According to the second and the third aspect of the invention, aplurality of events serving as the chance of increasing the game valueactivate independently one of another. Accordingly, even when an eventactivates, there is the possibility that the next event activatesimmediately. Therefore, the expectation of the players for the events ismaintained, thus making it possible to avoid the emergence of a playerwho stops the game after an event activation.

According to the invention, a plurality of events serving as the chanceof increasing the game value activate independently one of another.Accordingly, even when an event activates, there is the possibility thatthe next event activates immediately. Therefore, the expectation of theplayers for the events is maintained, thus making it possible to avoidthe emergence of a player who stops the game after an event activation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will bemore fully apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general outline of a gamingmachine of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a general outline of alottery machine of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a lottery ball receiving portion of theembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the lottery machine of the embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of lottery wheels of the embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the lottery wheels of the embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 7A to 7G are longitudinal sectional views showing a generaloutline of a second collection path in the gaming machine of theembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a gaming terminal of the embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system configuration configured inthe gaming machine of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control circuit configured in thelottery machine of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control circuit configured in thegaming terminal of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is an example of a standby screen of the gaming terminal,displayed on a display screen of the gaming terminal of the embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 13 is an example of a jackpot displayed on the display screen ofthe gaming terminal of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is an example of a jackpot displayed on the display screen ofthe gaming terminal of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is an example of a first jackpot activation time determinationtable of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is an example of a second jackpot activation time determinationtable of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is an example of a first jackpot notification execution timedetermination table of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is an example of a second jackpot notification execution timedetermination table of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a main flowchart of processes of the lottery machine andgaming terminal of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart following FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart following FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a first jackpot process;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a second jackpot process; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing a gaming system of the embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An example of a preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafterbe described with reference to the drawings.

As an equivalent of the game value of the invention, in addition to acoin, a medal, a game ball or a token, there is a game medium such as acard storing the information of a game value awarded or to be awarded toplayers. In this embodiment, however, the description will be givenusing the medal.

Configuration of Gaming Machine

First, the general outline of a gaming machine will be described usingFIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general outline of thegaming machine of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming machine 310 includes a lottery machine 312and a plurality of gaming terminals 314. This gaming machine 310 canprovide a game simultaneously to a plurality of players through theplurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J. Additionally, the gamingterminal 314 of this embodiment corresponds to an example of the gamingterminal device of the invention.

The lottery machine 312 mainly includes a housing 313 imitating a shipand is disposed in the center of the gaming machine 310. Besides, twolottery wheels 338 and 339 are disposed in the center of the lotterymachine 312. These two lottery wheels 338 and 339 are formed with atotal of 52 lottery holes 340, 341 (see FIG. 4). The identificationinformation that is the combination of a first symbol including spade,club, heart and diamond and a second symbol including numbers 2 to 10and letters A, J, Q and K is made to correspond to these plural lotteryholes 340, 341. A lottery is held in response to any of the plurality oflottery holes 340, 341 that lottery balls have entered, thus determiningthe result of the game. A rocking device 346 (see FIG. 2) is disposed inthe lottery machine 312, and the housing 313 is rockable so that a stem312A and a stern 312B are displaced in an up and down direction.

The plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J are disposed on eitherbroadside of the lottery machine 312. Besides, in this embodiment, asshown in FIG. 1, there are provided ten gaming terminals 314A to 314J.Besides, the plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J are formed withmedal payout ports 382A to 382J, respectively. Additionally, FIG. 1 doesnot illustrate the gaming terminals 314F to 314H and medal payout ports382F to 382J that are blocked from view by the lottery machine 312.

Additionally, this embodiment is configured to provide the ten gamingterminals 314A to 314J as the plurality of gaming terminals. However,the invention is not limited thereto but may have another mode. Forexample, it may be configured that there are provided a plurality otherthan ten of gaming terminals or that there is provided one gamingterminal.

Configuration of Lottery Machine

The general outline of the lottery machine 312 of the gaming machine 310will be described using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewshowing a general outline of the lottery machine 312 of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, a screw conveyor 320 is disposed at the stern 312Bof the lottery machine 312. This screw conveyor 320 is a device forupwardly conveying the lottery balls used in the lottery via the insideof the lottery machine 312.

This screw conveyor 320 includes a spiral body 320A extending upwardlyat a predetermined angle, a support plate 320B extending along thespiral body 320A, and a lottery ball lifting motor 320C for rotating thespiral body 320A. A groove having a larger curvature radius than theradius of the lottery ball is spirally formed in the spiral body 320A.The lottery ball lifting motor 320A is driven, thereby rotating thespiral body 320A, so that the lottery balls are conveyed upward whilebeing held between the groove spirally formed in the spiral body 320Aand the support plate 320B. That is, the screw conveyor 320 is disposedoutside the housing 313 and visibly conveys lottery balls 302 beingconveyed.

Besides, a lottery ball holding portion 332 is disposed above thelottery machine 312. This lottery ball holding portion 332, to bevisible from the players, etc., is formed from a resin havingpermeability. Consequently, the remaining number of lottery balls can beclearly showed to the players. This lottery ball holding portion 332 hasan upwardly opening shape and holds the lottery balls guided from alottery ball guide portion 324. Besides, an opening (not shown) forpassing one lottery ball therethrough is formed in the bottom face ofthe lottery ball holding portion 332.

A cylindrical rotating body 328 is disposed below the lottery ballholding portion 332. This rotating body 328 has the function of closingthe opening formed in the bottom face of the lottery ball holdingportion 332. Thereby, the lottery balls held by the lottery ball holdingportion 332 are maintained held.

Besides, the rotating body 328 is formed with a holding hole (not shown)for holding one lottery ball. A drive portion (not shown) including arotary motor 326 (see FIG. 10), etc. is disposed at the edge end of therotating body 328. The drive portion is driven to thereby rotate therotating body 328. The rotating body 328 is rotated to thereby make theholding hole open upwardly, thus dropping one lottery ball held by thelottery ball holding portion 332 into the holding hole via the opening.Furthermore, the rotating body 328 is rotated to thereby close theopening formed in the lottery ball holding portion 332 and also make onelottery ball held in the holding hole. Furthermore, the rotating body328 is rotated to thereby close the opening formed in the lottery ballholding portion 332 and also make the holding hole open downwardly, thusdownwardly dropping one lottery ball held in the holding hole. Thus, onelottery ball held by the lottery ball holding portion 332 is selectedand then dropped. Besides, this rotating body 328 is formed from a resinhaving permeability, so that the lottery ball held in the holding holesbecomes visible to the players. Consequently, the progress of the gamecan be clearly shown to the players.

A lottery ball receiving portion 334 having permeability is disposedbelow the rotating body 328. This lottery ball receiving portion 334 isfor receiving the lottery balls dropped through the holding hole of therotating body disposed thereabove. Consequently, the lottery ballsdropped from the holding hole of the rotating body 328 are held by thelottery ball receiving portion 334 so as to be visible to the players.The lottery ball receiving portion 334 is formed with notches 334C and334D (see FIG. 3) for inputting the received lottery balls therethroughonto any one of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Since the lotterymachine 312 has the rocking function, the lottery balls held by thelottery ball receiving portion 334 are guided to any one of the twolottery wheels 338 and 339 in response to the inclined angle of thelottery machine 312.

Slopes 336A and 336B formed with input paths through which the lotteryballs can pass are connected to the notches 334C and 334D (see FIG. 3)of the lottery ball receiving portion 334. These slopes 336A and 336Bare for inputting the lottery balls held by the lottery ball receivingportion 334 onto any one of face portions 338A and 339A. The slopes 336Aand 336B are formed from a resin having permeability. Consequently, thelottery balls passing through the slopes 336A and 336B are made visibleto the players.

The two lottery wheels 338 and 339 are disposed at the lower ends of theslopes 336A and 336B, respectively. These lottery wheels 338 and 339 areformed with the face portions 338A and 339A having the faces on whichthe lottery balls can roll and that are horizontal to the housing 313.

A plurality of the lottery holes 340, 341 for holding one lottery ballare formed on the upper faces of these face portions 338A and 339A. Ashutter 347 is disposed on the bottom face of the plurality of lotteryholes 340, 341. During the game, this shutter 347 is controlled to beclosed, thus holding the lottery balls that have entered the pluralityof lottery holes 340, 341. Besides, after the game ends, the shutter 347is controlled into the open state, thereby discharging the lottery ballsthat have entered the plurality of lottery balls 340, 341 into theinside of the lottery machine 312. Besides, the plurality of lotteryholes 340, 341 are each disposed with an input ball detection sensor349. The input ball detection sensor 349 detects that the lottery ballhas entered any of the plurality of lottery holes.

A collection portion 345 formed with a first collection path 344 and asecond collection path 350 is provided below the two lottery wheels 338and 339 of such a lottery machine 312. The shutter 347 is controlledinto the open state, whereby this collection portion 345 allows thefirst collection path 344 receive the lottery balls that have enteredthe plurality of lottery holes 340, 341. Besides, this collectionportion 345 is formed with inclined portions 353A and 353B fordownwardly dropping the lottery balls received by the first collectionpath 344. Furthermore, the horizontally extending second collection path350 is formed below the inclined portions 353A and 353B. Thereby, thelottery balls that have entered the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341are guided by the second collection path 350 via the first collectionpath 344 and then held.

An open/close gate 352 is disposed in the second collection path 350.This open/close gate 352 is openably/closeably controlled. Consequently,when placed in the open state, the open/close gate 352 comes into thestate where the lottery balls can pass between the second collectionpath 350 and the lower end of the spiral body 320A. On the contrary,when placed in the closed state, the open/close gate 352 comes into thestate where the lottery balls cannot pass between the second collectionpath 350 and the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Thus, the lotterymachine 312 is rocked so that the stern 312B side becomes lower than thestem 312A side, and the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the openstate. Thereby, the lottery balls held in the second collection path 350are led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Besides, theopen/close gate 352 is controlled into the closed state, therebypreventing the lottery balls led out to the lower end of the spiral body320A from returning to the second collection path 350, and furthermorepreventing the lottery balls held in the second collection path 350 frombeing led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A.

A lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is disposed between theopen/close gate 352 and the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Thislottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is for detecting the number oflottery balls led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A from thesecond collection path 350 via the open/close gate. Accordingly, thelottery machine 312 is inclined so that the stern 312B side becomeslower than the stem 312A side, and the open/close gate 352 is controlledinto the open state. Thereby, when the number of lottery balls that havepassed through the open/close gate 352 reaches a predetermined number,the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the closed state, so that thepredetermined number of lottery balls are led out to the lower end ofthe spiral body 320A. Besides, after the predetermined number of lotteryballs are led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A, theselottery balls do not return to the second collection path 350.

Besides, the lottery machine 312, provided with the rocking device 346,is rockable and inclinable about a rocking shaft 348.

A dot LED display 327 including a plurality of LED's, etc. is disposedbelow the lottery ball holding portion 332. A game round number isdisplayed on this dot LED display 327. Besides, a START lamp 329 isdisposed in the center of the lottery machine 312. In this START lamp329, when the lottery balls drop through the holding hole of therotating body 328 onto the lottery ball receiving portion 334, abuilt-in lamp is turned on and a letter START is displayed so as to bevisible to the players. Besides, the configuration may be such that thegaming machine 310 is provided with a plurality of lighting devices (notshown), thereby enabling the sailing ship-shaped lottery machine 312 tobe lighted up with various colors, thus enabling various representationstogether with the rocking operation. As a target that can be lighted up,there are sails 311A to 311E.

The aforesaid lottery ball receiving portion 334 and slopes 336A and336B will be described using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a top view showing thelottery ball receiving portion 334 and the slopes 336A and 336B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the aforesaid lottery ball receiving portion 334 isformed with a recessed portion 334A. This recessed portion 334A receivesthe lottery balls that drop through the holding hole of the aforesaidrotating body 328. Besides, two notches 334C and 334D are formed in aside face 334B of the lottery ball receiving portion 334. Consequently,as the lottery machine 312 is rocked, the lottery balls received by therecessed portion 334A roll outside the recessed portion 334A through anyone of the two notches 334C and 334D.

The upper ends of the slopes 336A and 336B are connected to thesenotches 334C and 334D. Besides, as aforesaid, the upper ends of theslopes 336A and 336B are disposed above the lottery wheels 338 and 339,respectively. Consequently, these slopes 336A and 336B receive thelottery balls rolled outside the lottery ball receiving portion 334through the aforesaid notches 334C and 334D of the lottery ballreceiving portion 334, thus guiding the rolled-out lottery balls to anyone of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Besides, these slopes 336A and336B are each disposed so that the lottery balls are inputted toward thesame direction as the rotational direction of the lottery wheels 338 and339. Additionally, in this embodiment, the slopes 336A and 336B areformed to be linear but may not be formed linear. For example, theslopes 336A and 336B may be formed to have a curve.

Description of Lottery Wheel, etc.

The aforesaid lottery machine 312 and lottery wheels 338 and 339 will bedescribed using FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the lotterymachine 312. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the lottery wheel 338.FIG. 6 is a top view showing the lottery wheel 338. Additionally, inFIGS. 5 and 6, since the lottery wheel 339 has the same configuration asthe lottery wheel 338, the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, as aforesaid, the two lottery wheels 338 and 339 aredisposed in the lottery machine 312. The two lottery wheels 338 and 339can be provided with the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341. Therefore,for example, as compared with when one lottery wheel is used, aninstallation space in a game arcade can be effectively utilized withouttaking up an unnecessary space as many lottery holes are provided.Thereby, many lottery holes can be provided, thus enabling an increasein interest such for example as allowing much latitude in payouts.Additionally, these lottery holes 340, 341 are used not only in a bingogame but also in a symbol guessing game at a second jackpot to bedescribed later. Additionally, the first and second jackpots of thisembodiment each correspond to an example of the event of the invention.

These lottery wheels 338 and 339 are circular as seen from above. Theselottery wheels 338 and 339 are rotatably disposed on the deck of thehousing 313. The lottery wheels 338 and 339 are formed with the faceportions 338A and 339A that make the lottery balls rollable. Besides,these lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate in substantially the samedirection (see arrows B1 and B2) as the direction (see arrows A1 and A2)in which the lottery balls are inputted from the slopes 336A and 336B.Specifically, the lottery wheel 338 rotates clockwise and, as shown inFIG. 5, the slope 336A is inputted clockwise. Consequently, when thelottery balls are rolled onto the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the speedof the lottery balls does not significantly slow down. Accordingly,there is a low possibility that the lottery balls enter any of theplurality of lottery holes 340, 341 in a very short time.

Besides, a connection table 390 is provided between the lottery wheels338 and 339. This connection table 390 has the face flush with the faceportions 338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Consequently,the lottery balls roll between the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Besides,the rolling speed of the lottery balls does not significantly slow down.

Guide portions 392 and 394 are provided between the lottery wheels 338and 339. These guide portions 392 and 394 are provided in such aposition as to sandwich the connection table 390 along the outerperipheries of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. These guide portions 392and 394 have a more convex shape than the face portions 338A and 339A ofthe lottery wheels 338 and 339. Consequently, the lottery balls hitagainst the guide portions 392 and 394, thereby guiding the rollingmovement of the lottery balls.

Besides, bank portions 396 and 398 are provided outside the lotterywheels 338 and 339. These bank portions 396 and 398 are provided alongthe outer peripheries of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. These bankportions 396 and 398 have a more convex shape than the face portions338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Consequently, thelottery balls inputted onto the lottery wheels 338 and 339 from theslopes 336A and 336B, even when rolling outside the lottery wheels 338and 339, ride on the bank portions 396 and 398 and are rolled again ontothe lottery wheels 338 and 339. Besides, when the lottery balls ridingon the bank portions 396 and 398 are rolled onto the lottery wheels 338and 339, the speed of the lottery balls does not significantly slowdown. Accordingly, there is a low possibility that the lottery ballsenter the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341 in a very short time.Thus, the lottery balls enter any of the plurality of lottery holes inabout 10 to 30 seconds.

Besides, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate in opposite directions asindicated by the arrows B1 and B2. Consequently, the lottery ballsinputted onto the lottery wheel 338 sometimes roll onto the lotterywheel 339 from the lottery wheel 338 via the connection table 390.Conversely, the lottery balls inputted onto the lottery wheel 339sometimes roll onto the lottery wheel 338 from the lottery wheel 339 viathe connection table 390. Accordingly, the lottery balls roll betweenthese lottery wheels 338 and 339. Besides, since the rocking device 346is disposed in the lottery machine 312, the housing 323 of the lotterymachine 312 is rocked. Thereby, for example, the lottery balls can berolled on the lottery wheels 338 and 339 so as to roll in an 8-shapedfashion between the lottery wheels 338 and 339. At the same time, adifficult-to-predict novel game can be provided to the players, thusenabling an enhancement in the interest in the game. Additionally, theselottery wheels 338 and 339, connection table 390, guide portions 392 and394, and bank portions 396 and 398 are surrounded with a fence formedfrom a resin having permeability. Thus, there is no risk that thelottery balls roll out of the fence.

These lottery wheels 338 and 339 are each provided with 26 lottery holes340, 341. As shown in FIG. 5, the identification information includingspace and heart as the first symbol is assigned to the plurality oflottery holes 340 provided in the lottery wheel 338. Specifically, A, 2to 10, J, Q and K of spade and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of heart areassigned to the plurality of lottery holes 340 provided in the lotterywheel 338. On the other hand, the identification information includingclub and diamond as the first symbol is assigned to the plurality oflottery holes 341 provided in the lottery wheel 339. Specifically, A, 2to 10, J, Q and K of club and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of diamond areassigned to the plurality of lottery holes 341 provided in the lotterywheel 339. That is, any of the plurality of symbols is set to be of akind, which therefore allows the players to easily identify the desiredidentification information by observing the place in which the lotteryballs roll. This makes it possible to let the players still further haveimpatience and expectation, thus enabling an enhancement in the interestin the game. For example, when the lottery balls roll on the lotterywheel 338, it can be easily identified that the first symbol is of spadeand heart, and when the lottery balls roll on the lottery wheel 339, itcan be easily identified that the first symbol is of club and diamond.That is, in the two lottery wheels 338 and 339, the identificationinformation having any of the first symbols set to be of a kind isassigned to the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341 of the two lotterywheels 338 and 339. Thereby, for example, the players are allowed toeasily identify the desired identification information by observing thelottery wheels 338 and 339 on which the lottery balls roll. This makesit possible to let the players still further have impatience andexpectation, thus enabling an enhancement in the interest in the game.

Besides, as shown in FIG. 6, the lottery wheel 338 is provided with theplurality of lottery holes 340 along circumferences C1 and C2 centeredabout a center point C0 of rotation. This circumference C2 is positionedinwardly from the circumference C1. Besides, 16 lottery holes areprovided along the circumference C1, while 10 lottery holes are providedalong the circumference C2. Besides, as aforesaid, A, 2 to 10, J, Q andK of spade and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of heart are assigned to these 26lottery holes 340. And, specifically, A and 2 to 8 of spade and A and 2to 8 of heart are assigned to the 16 lottery holes provided along thecircumference C1, while 9, 10, J, Q and K of spade and 9, 10, J, Q and Kof heart are assigned to the 10 lottery holes provided along thecircumference C2.

Besides, as shown in FIG. 5, the lottery wheel 338 is provided with aplurality of convex portions 342 having a more convex shape than theface portions 338A of the lottery wheel 338. Besides, as shown in FIG.6, the plurality of convex portions 342 are provided along acircumference C3 centered about the center point C0 of rotation.Besides, this circumference C3 is positioned inwardly from the mostinward circumference C2 of the circumferences C1 and C2 provided withthe plurality of lottery holes. That is, the plurality of convexportions 342 are provided along the circumference C3 positioned inwardlyfrom the most inward circumference C2 of the plurality of kinds ofcircumferences C1 and C2, so as to be adjacent to the plurality oflottery holes formed on the most inward circumference C2. Thereby, forexample, the lottery balls hit against the convex portions, whichweakens the rolling movement of the lottery balls, thus making itpossible to change the rolling direction of the lottery balls. Then, outof the plurality of kinds of circumferences C1 and C2, the lottery ballsevenly enter the lottery holes formed along the inner circumference C2and the lottery holes formed along the outer circumference C1.Therefore, it is possible to hold a lottery in which the lottery ballsevenly enter many lottery holes.

Besides, as shown in FIG. 6, the configuration is preferably such that aconvex portion 342A having a convex shape is provided in the regionsurrounded by: tangent lines D1 and D2 tangent to two lottery holes 340Aand 340B adjacent to each other along the inner circumference C2; andthe circumference C3. For example, the lottery balls that have passedbetween the lottery holes 340A and 340B hit against the convex portion342A, which weakens the rolling movement of the lottery balls, thusmaking it possible to change the rolling direction of the lottery balls,thereby raising the possibility of entering the lottery holes 340A and340B. Thus, out of the plurality of kinds of circumferences C1 and C2,the lottery balls evenly enter the lottery holes formed along the innercircumference C2 and the lottery holes formed along the outercircumference C1. Therefore, it is possible to hold a lottery in whichthe lottery balls evenly enter many lottery holes.

Description of Collection Portion

The aforesaid collection portion 345 of the lottery machine 312 will bedescribed using FIGS. 7A to 7G. FIGS. 7A to 7G are longitudinalsectional views showing the second collection path 350.

When the game ends, as aforesaid, the shutter 347 is placed in the openstate, and the lottery balls drop through the plurality of lottery holes340, 341. And, after the elapse of a predetermined time, as shown inFIG. 7A, these lottery balls are held in the second collection path 350via the first collection path 344. As shown in FIG. 7A, with the lotteryballs 302 held in the second collection path 350 of the aforesaidcollection portion 345, the housing 313 is inclined by the rockingdevice 346. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, since the open/close gate352 provided in the second collection path 350 is in the closed state,the lottery balls 302 are held in the second collection path 350 so asto be positioned on the open/close gate 352 side. And, as shown in FIG.7C, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the open state, wherebythe lottery balls 302 positioned in the second collection path 350 rolltoward a lower portion of the spiral body 320A. That is, the housing 313is inclined, and the lottery balls 302 positioned in the secondcollection path 350 are led out to the screw conveyor 320. When thelottery balls 302 thus roll toward the lower portion of the spiral body320A, the lottery ball 302 passing detection sensor 351 detects thenumber of lottery balls 302 rolled toward the lower portion of thespiral body 320A. That is, the lottery ball 302 passing detection sensor351 detects the number of lottery balls 302 led out to the screwconveyor 320 from the second collection path 350. In other words, thelottery ball 302 passing detection sensor 351 detects the number oflottery balls 302 passing through the open/close gate 352. When thenumber of lottery balls 302 detected by the lottery ball 302 passingdetection sensor 351 reaches a predetermined number, as shown in FIG.7D, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the closed state.Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7E, the predetermined number of lottery balls302 roll toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A and conveyedupwardly by the screw conveyor 320. That is, the lottery balls are madeready to be inputted. Besides, in this state, as shown in FIG. 7F, theinclination of the housing 313 is returned to a horizontal position,i.e., control for restraint is performed. That is, the rocking device346 has the function of restraining the inclination of the housing 313.Besides, as shown in FIG. 7F, the lottery balls 302 that have rolledtoward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A do not return. Ofcourse, as shown in FIG. 7G, even when the housing 313 is inclined inthe reverse direction, similarly, the lottery balls 302 that have rolledtoward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A do not return.

Thereby, the housing 313 (see FIG. 1) is inclined, and the lottery ballspositioned in the second collection path 350 are led out to the lowerportion of the spiral body 320A. Therefore, the lottery balls can becollected by merely inclining the housing 313, thus enabling the gamingmachine to be manufactured in a simple manner and at low cost.Particularly, as much space as possible need be saved in a large-sizegaming machine such as a bingo game machine, and still more space can besaved according to the invention. Besides, there is no need to provideeach of the plurality of lottery holes with a lottery ball dischargeunit, thus enabling the gaming machine to be manufacture in a simplermanner and at lower cost.

Description of Gaming Terminal

The gaming terminal 314A of the gaming machine 310 will be describedusing FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the gaming terminal 314A.Additionally, since the gaming terminals 314B to 314J have the sameconfiguration as the gaming terminal 314A, the description thereof willbe omitted.

The gaming terminal 314A mainly includes a display 370A, a touch sensor372A (see FIG. 11), an inner dial 376A and an outer dial 377A, a medalinput port 378A and a main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 11).

The display 370A is provided in an upper portion of the gaming terminal314A. A bingo game matrix card image allotted to the players and otherpieces of information, or an optional game image, etc. are displayed onthe display 370A. With such a configuration, the game can proceed withvarious pieces of information displayed on a display screen of thedisplay 370A being visible to the players.

Furthermore, the configuration may be as follows. That is, the lotterymachine 312 is provided with a camera (not shown) that takes the overallpicture of the lottery wheels 338 and 339, and the image taken isdisplayed on the display 370A. Thereby, even when any one of the lotterywheels 338 and 339 is difficult to watch, the lottery wheels 338 and 339can be made visible to the players.

Besides, the display 370A is provided with a touch panel mainlyincluding the touch sensor 372A. Thereby, the players can be providedwith a gaming environment in which the input of various data and theissue of instructions are made possible by touching the display 370A.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the touch sensor 372A enables variousinput operations. However, other operating modes can be used. Forexample, the configuration may be such that there are provided aplurality of operation buttons with which various input operations canbe performed.

A seat portion 374A is provided on the player side of the display 370A.The inner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A positioned in vertical tiersare provided on the upper face of this seat portion 374A. By using theinner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A, the players can be providedwith a gaming environment in which a difficult operation can beperformed by merely depressing the normal operation buttons and touchingthe touch panel. For example, in a first jackpot game to be describedlater, the inner dial 376A or the outer dial 377A is moved right andleft, whereby a mock telescope 397 (see FIG. 13) displayed on thedisplay 370A can be moved right and left, or the focal distance of themock telescope 397 can be adjusted.

For example, in this embodiment, in the bingo game matrix imagedisplayed on the display 370A, the identification information, assignedto bingo cells, in the outer periphery of the matrix image can be movedbetween adjacent bingo cells along the aforesaid outer periphery.Thereby, when the movement of the second identification information isintended to be continuously performed, the operation must be repeatedover and over again by only depressing the normal operation buttons andtouching the touch panel, which is a lot of trouble. Therefore, when aninput device such as the inner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A isused, the continuous operation becomes possible with one motion, so thata game of high operability can be provided to the players. Besides, avery simple operation can be performed even for an analog motion inperforming scrolling on the screen, in moving a pointer, or in likecase, so that a game of high operability can be provided to the players.

Besides, the medal input port 378A for inputting medals therethrough isprovided on the right side of the inner dial 376A and the outer dial377A. Besides, a medal sensor 380A (see FIG. 11) is disposed inside themedal input port 378A. This medal sensor 378A detects that medals havebeen inputted into the medal input port 378A. Thus, when the playersinput medals into the medal input port 378A, the medal sensor 380Adetects that the medals have been inputted.

Besides, the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 11) is disposed insidethe seat portion 374A and controls the aforesaid various devices.

Configuration of Gaming Machine

The system configuration of the gaming machine 310 will be describedusing FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the gaming machine 310 mainly includes: a lotterymachine controller 360 for performing the control of the lottery machine312; and the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.

The lottery machine controller 360 is communicably connected to tengaming terminals 314A to 314J. Besides, this lottery machine controller360 can control the gaming terminals 314A to 314J bytransmitting/receiving various data and signals from the ten gamingterminals 314A to 314J.

Electrical Configuration of Lottery Machine

The electrical configuration of the lottery machine 312 of the gamingmachine 310 will be described using FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration including a main control circuit400 that controls the game processing operation of the lottery machine312 of the gaming machine 310, and a peripheral device (actuator) thatis electrically connected to the main control circuit 400.

The main control circuit 400 includes a CPU 406 that performs a controloperation in accordance with a pre-set program, and an ROM 408 and anRAM 410 that are the storage unit.

As shown in FIG. 10, the input ball detection sensor 349 is connected toan interface circuit group 402 of the main control circuit 400. When thelottery balls enter any of the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341, theinput ball detection sensor 349 supplies a predetermined signal to aninput/output bus 404 via the interface circuit group 402. Theinput/output bus 404 inputs/outputs a data signal or an address signalfrom the control processing unit (hereinafter called the CPU) 406.

Besides, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is also connectedto the interface circuit group 402 of the main control circuit 400. Whenthe lottery balls pass through the open/close gate 352, the lottery ballpassing detection sensor 351 supplies a predetermined signal to theinput/output bus 404 via the interface circuit group 402.

Furthermore, communication control circuits 414A to 414J are connectedto the interface circuit group 402. These communication control circuits414A to 414J are for providing a communicable connection between thelottery machine controller 360 and the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.Particularly, data signals of the number of bets per game to bedescribed later are transmitted from the gaming terminals 314A to 314Jvia the communication control circuits 414A to 414J. Thereby, a jackpotpool value to be described later can be calculated. Additionally, thepool value of this embodiment corresponds to the cumulative value of theinvention.

The ROM (Read Only Memory) 408 and the RAM (Random Access Memory) 410are also connected to the aforesaid input/output bus 404. The ROM 408records a control program for controlling the process of the game in thelottery machine controller 360. Furthermore, the ROM 408 stores initialdata, various programs, etc. for executing the control program. Besides,the RAM 410 stores a flag and the value of a variable that are used inthe aforesaid program.

Furthermore, an interface circuit group 412 is connected to theinput/output bus 404. The lottery ball lifting motor 320C, the rotarymotor 326, lottery wheel rotating motors 335 and 337, the shutter 347,the rocking device 346, and the open/close gate 352 are connected to theinterface circuit group 412. Thereby, the CPU 406 controls variousdevices, thus enabling driving of the aforesaid lottery machine 312.

A clock pulse generator 415 and a frequency divider 416 that generate areference clock pulse, and a random number generator 417 and a randomnumber sampling circuit 418 that generate a random number to be sampledare connected to the CPU 406. Additionally, means for random samplingmay be configured to execute random sampling on an operation program ofthe CPU 406. In that case, the random number generator 417 and randomnumber sampling circuit 418 can be omitted or can also be left intactfor use as backup for a random number sampling operation.

A control program for controlling the process of the game in the lotterymachine controller 360 is stored in the ROM 408. Furthermore, initialdata, various programs, etc. for executing the control program arestored in the ROM 408. In addition, each event value and an upper limitvalue of a first jackpot to be described later are stored in the ROM408.

Besides, a first jackpot activation time determination table and asecond jackpot activation time determination table (see FIGS. 15 and16), which will be described later, are stored in the ROM 408. As willbe described later, each jackpot activation time determination table isfor determining in which round of game a jackpot is activated after thegame that meets the condition of activation, when each jackpot meets thecondition of activation, i.e., when each pool value exceeds theintrinsic event value of the jackpot.

Furthermore, a first jackpot notification execution time determinationtable and a second jackpot notification execution time determinationtable (see FIGS. 17 and 18), which will be described later, are storedin the ROM 408. Each jackpot notification execution time determinationtable is for determining in which round of game a jackpot notificationis executed before a game in which the jackpot is activated.

Besides, the RAM 410 stores therein a flag and the value of a variablethat are used in the aforesaid program. Furthermore, as will bedescribed later, based on the total number of medals bet, a jackpot poolvalue is stored in the RAM 410, wherein the pool value is updated on aper game basis.

Electrical Configuration of Gaming Terminal

The electrical configuration of the gaming terminal 314A of the gamingmachine 310 will be described using FIG. 11. Additionally, since thegaming terminals 314B to 314J have the same configuration as the gamingterminal 314A, the description thereof will be omitted

As shown in FIG. 11, the medal sensor 380A is an interface circuit group502A of the main control circuit 500A. When medals are inputted throughthe medal input port 378A, the medal sensor 380A supplies apredetermined signal to an input/output bus 504A via the interfacecircuit group 502A. The input/output bust 504A inputs/outputs a datasignal or an address signal from a central processing unit (hereinaftercalled a CPU) 506A. Additionally, when medals are inputted, the numberof bets is also detected by the medal sensor 380A. The medal sensor 380Atransmits a data signal of the number of bets to the CPU 506A. This datasignal is transmitted via a to-be-described communication controlcircuit 514A, as a data signal, to the CPU 406 (see FIG. 10) of the maincontrol circuit 400 (see FIG. 10) of the lottery machine 312. This dataof the number of bets is further transmitted to the RAM 410.

Besides, the touch sensor 372A is also connected to the interfacecircuit group 502A of the main control circuit 500A. When detecting thatthe player has touched the display position of an instruction contentdisplayed on the device 370A, the touch sensor 372A supplies theinterface circuit group 502A with a signal corresponding to such aninstruction content.

Besides, the inner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A are connected tothe aforesaid interface circuit group 502A. When the players rotate theinner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A, a signal corresponding to therotating angle of the inner dial 376A or the outer dial 377A is suppliedto the interface circuit group 502A.

Furthermore, the communication control circuit 514A is connected to theinterface circuit group 502A. This communication control circuit 514A isfor providing a communicable connection between the lottery machinecontroller 360 and the gaming terminal 314A. Particularly, a signal forgenerating a jackpot and a signal for executing a jackpot notificationare transmitted from the lottery machine 312 via the communicationcontrol circuit 514A.

An ROM (Read Only Memory) 508A and an RAM (Random Access Memory) 510Aare connected to the aforesaid input/output bus 504A. The ROM 508Astores therein a control program for controlling the process of the gameof the gaming terminal 314A. Furthermore, the ROM 508A stores therein aninitial data for executing the control program, a program forcontrolling the display of the display 370A, etc. Besides, the RAM 510Astores therein a flag and the value of a variable that are used in theaforesaid program.

Furthermore, an interface circuit group 512A is connected to theinput/output bus 504A. A speaker 586A and a hopper 588A are connected tothe interface circuit group 512A. And, the interface circuit group 512Asupplies a drive signal and drive power so as to control each of theaforesaid devices in response to the result of a calculation process inthe CPU 506A.

Furthermore, a display controller 600A is connected to the interfacecircuit group 512A. The display controller 600A supplies the display370A with an image signal for displaying an image, based on an imagedisplay command supplied from the main control circuit 500A.

A bingo game and a jackpot that are played using the gaming machine 310will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. In a bingo gamemachine such as the gaming machine 310, in addition to the normallyperformed bingo game, a game (event) called a jackpot is played. Thejackpot is an event (game) that has a high possibility of awarding moremedals to the players than in the bingo game.

Bingo Game

The conventional bingo game is such a game as follows. That is, 25numbers serving as the identification information are described on abingo card made of paper on which 5×5 bingo matrix cells are drawn. And,when a number selected by lottery is found on the bingo card, a bingocell corresponding to the selected number is activated. When fiveactivated bingo cells are arranged in vertical, horizontal or diagonalline on the bingo card, a bingo hand is achieved, thus awarding a prizesuch as commercial goods to the winner.

A bingo game played on the gaming machine 310 is played by the same ruleas the aforesaid. However, in the bingo game played on the gamingmachine 310, as shown in FIG. 12, in place of the bingo cells made ofpaper, bingo cells 375 are displayed on a display screen 371A of thedisplay 370A of the gaming terminal 314A, thereby allowing the playersto play the bingo game. Additionally, since the gaming terminals 314B to314J have substantially the same configuration as the gaming terminal314A, the description thereof will be omitted.

Besides, in the bingo game played on the gaming machine 310, as shown inFIG. 12, in place of the numbers serving as the identificationinformation of the normal bingo game, playing-card designs are used asthe identification information. Accordingly, even when a poker hand(e.g., one pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house,four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush, or five of a kind) isachieved in addition to the conventional bingo hand, medals are awardedto the winning players.

And, the bingo game is played by such a procedure as follows. First, thelottery balls are inputted onto lottery wheels 338 and 339, and thelottery balls roll on the lottery wheels 338 and 339. The lottery ballswhose rolling movement grows weak enter either the lottery holes 340 orthe lottery holes 341. If any bingo cells have the same designs as theplaying-card designs of lottery holes that the lottery balls haveentered, bingo cells 375 corresponding to the playing-card designs areactivated. When the activated bingo cells form the aforesaid bingo handor poker hand, medals equivalent to the hand are awarded to the winningplayers.

Jackpot

The jackpot of the gaming machine 310 of this embodiment will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

The jackpot refers to an event (game) that has a high possibility ofawarding more medals to the players participating in the game than inthe bingo game. The players can obtain the chance of being able to winmore medals than in the bingo game. Here, the “players participating inthe game” refers to players who are actually involved in the bingo gamewith a medal bet upon activation of a jackpot. The jackpot has twokinds: a first jackpot and a second jackpot.

The first jackpot will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13shows an image displayed on the display 370A of the gaming terminal 314Aat a Discover Treasure Island game held in the first jackpot.

Here, the fist jackpot refers to a less-awarded jackpot that is pre-setto have a possibility of activating frequently per day. The firstjackpot is a less-awarded jackpot than the to-be-described secondjackpot but is set to have a higher activation frequency than the secondjackpot. When the first jackpot is activated, all the playersparticipating in the game play the Discover Treasure Island game ofsearching for a treasure island. As shown in FIG. 13, the mock telescope397 is displayed on the display screen 371A of the display 370A of thegaming terminal 314A. The players operate the inner dial 376A or theouter dial 377A (see FIG. 8) right and left, thereby moving the mocktelescope 397 right and left or adjusting the focal distance of the mocktelescope 397, thus searching for the treasure island 379. And, 60medals are awarded to the player who is the first to discover thetreasure island 379, 30 medals to the second, and 10 medals to thethird.

The second jackpot will now be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG.14 shows an image displayed on the display 370A of the gaming terminal314A at a symbol guessing game held in the second jackpot.

The second jackpot refers to a high-awarded jackpot that is pre-set tohave a possibility of activating several times per day. When the jackpotis activated, the lottery balls are inputted onto the lottery wheels 338and 339 (see FIG. 4). The lottery balls roll on the lottery wheels 338and 339 and thereafter enter the lottery holes 340 and 341. The secondjackpot is the game in which when three lottery balls enter the lotteryholes 340 and 341, three playing-card symbols of the three lottery holes340 and 341 are guessed. Similar to the first jackpot, in the secondjackpot, the chance of challenging the game is given to all the playersparticipating in the game. As shown in FIG. 14, the players operate theinner dial 376A or the outer dial 377A (see FIG. 8) right and left,thereby selecting three playing-card symbols 701, 702 and 703. When allthe three symbols are guessed right, 1,000 medals are awarded to thewinner. However, when there are a plurality of winners, the 1,000 medalsare shared equally among the winners.

The conventional gaming machine is configured such that the jackpot isactivated on a per gaming terminal basis. Therefore, a player cannotparticipate in a jackpot activating at the gaming terminal of anotherplayer. Accordingly, unfairness arises among the players participatingin a bingo game of the same bingo game machine. Thus, there is the riskof reducing the interest of the players in the game.

In the gaming machine 310 of the invention, both the first and secondjackpots are configured such that all the players participating in thegame can be involved in the jackpot. Therefore, it is possible toprovide the gaming machine that maintains the expectation of the playerswithout reducing the interest of the players.

Condition of Jackpot Activation

On the other hand, in the gaming machine 310, a predetermined conditionneed be satisfied in order for a jackpot to activate. The condition ofjackpot activation is that each pool value to be described below exceedsthe intrinsic event value of each jackpot. Here, the pool value refersto a value obtained such that after the preceding jackpot activation,the total number of medals bet per game by all the players is multipliedby a rate pre-set for each jackpot (hereinafter called the predeterminedrate) and, furthermore, this result is accumulated in all the game. Thatis, after the preceding first jackpot activation, the total number ofmedals bet per game by all the players is multiplied by thepredetermined rate of the first jackpot, and the result is accumulatedin all the game, thereby calculating the pool value of the firstjackpot. Hereinafter, the pool value of the first jackpot will be calleda first pool value, and the pool value of the second jackpot, a secondpool value. Additionally, the accumulated value of the inventioncorresponds to the pool value.

Additionally, even when the pool value exceeds the event value, it onlymeans that the condition of jackpot activation is satisfied. When ajackpot actually activates is determined with reference to the jackpotactivation time determination table to be described later. Furthermore,as will be described later, even when the condition of activation of thefirst jackpot is fulfilled, if there are not a predetermined number ofplayers participating in the game, the first jackpot is cancelled.

In the gaming machine 310 of this embodiment, the predetermined rateused for calculating the pool value is 5% at both the first and secondjackpots, i.e., 0.05 of the total number of medals. Besides, asaforesaid, the event value of each jackpot varies from one jackpot toanother. Thus, the event value of the first jackpot is 100 medals, whilethe event value of the second jackpot is 1,000 medals.

The condition of activation of the first jackpot will hereinafter bespecifically described by taking the first jackpot as an example. Forexample, the pool value obtained after a bingo game in which thepreceding first jackpot has activated is set to 60. And, suppose that500 medals are bet in a bingo game (hereinafter called a first game)immediately after the aforesaid bingo game. In this case, since500×0.05=25, the pool value obtained until the first game is 65+25=90.Suppose that 600 medals are bet in a second game subsequent to the firstgame. Then, since the value obtained by multiplying the total number ofmedals by the predetermined rate is 600×0.05=30, the pool value of thesecond game is 90+0=120. Accordingly, this value exceeds 100 that is theevent value of the first jackpot, thus satisfying the condition on whichthe first jackpot is activated in the second game.

Additionally, this embodiment limits the kinds of jackpots to two kinds.However, the invention is not limited thereto but may be provided withthree or more kinds of jackpots. On this occasion, preferably, there areprovided a plurality of jackpots between which the number of payoutmedals won varies.

Besides, in this embodiment, the event value of the first jackpot is setto 100 and that of the second jackpot is set to 1,000. However, theinvention is not limited thereto, but the event value need only be anumerical value capable of maintaining the expectation of the players.Besides, the management of a game arcade or the maker of a gamingmachine may make it ready to modify the event value as appropriate.Furthermore, there may be provided a plurality of jackpots different inevent value from each other.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined rate functioning as acoefficient for calculating the pool value is set to 5% (0.05) that isthe same at both the first and second jackpots. However, the inventionis not limited thereto, but the predetermined rate may vary between eachjackpot and may be the same at the both jackpots. Besides, thepredetermined rate may be either smaller or larger than 5%. Furthermore,the management of a game arcade or the maker of a gaming machine maymake it ready to modify the event value as appropriate.

Thus, according to the invention, a plurality of jackpots serving as thechance of increasing medals are activated independently one of another.Accordingly, even when a jackpot is activated, there is the possibilitythat another jackpot may be activated immediately thereafter. Therefore,the expectation of the players for jackpots is maintained, which canavoid the emergence of a player who stops playing the game after ajackpot activation.

Besides, the conventional bingo game machine cannot provide a differencein the mode of forming a bingo, so that a payout to be awarded to theplayers cannot be provided with much latitude. Consequently, there hasappeared a bingo game machine for solving the aforesaid problem byproviding an event such as a jackpot in which more medals are awardedthan in the bingo game. However, even when one jackpot is activated,there is a limitation in providing the payout with variation. Thus,there is the risk of reducing the interest of the players.

However, according to the invention, a plurality of kinds of jackpotsdifferent in the number of payout medals are provided as in the secondjackpot having a low activation frequency but a high payout and as inthe first jackpot having a low payout but a high activation frequency.Therefore, the payout to be awarded to the players can be provided withmuch latitude. Besides, the activation frequency also varies, thusenabling the payout award to have a wavy form. Accordingly, it ispossible to maintain the interest of the players in the game.

Jackpot Activation Time Determination Table

The jackpot activation time determination table will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIGS. 15 and 16 shows the jackpot activation time determination tables.FIG. 15 shows the first jackpot activation time determination table, andFIG. 16 shows the second jackpot activation time determination table.The jackpot activation time determination table stored in the ROM 408 ofthe lottery machine 312 is such a table as follows. That is, when ajackpot satisfies the condition of activation, i.e., when each poolvalue exceeds the intrinsic event value of the jackpot, the table isreferred to when it is determined in which round of game (that refers tothe bingo game) a jackpot is activated after the bingo game thatsatisfies the condition of activation. The jackpot activation timedetermination table has an item called the number of activation standbygames and an item of a random number range. The number of activationstandby games refers to the number of bingo games played from the bingogame satisfying the condition of jackpot activation until a jackpot isactivated.

A specific method of determining in which round of game the firstjackpot is activated after the first jackpot satisfies the condition ofactivation will hereinafter be described using FIG. 15.

First, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 selects a random numberfrom a predetermined random number range (e.g., a range of “0” to“255”). Based on the random number value selected, referring to thefirst jackpot activation time determination table of FIG. 15, it isdetermined in which round of game (that refers to the bingo game) thefirst jackpot is activated after the bingo game satisfying the conditionof activation. For example, when the random number selected falls in arange of “201”, to “255”, the first jackpot is activated at thetwentieth bingo game from the bingo game satisfying the condition ofactivation.

Thus, even when the pool value becomes equal to or greater than theevent value at which the jackpot is activated, there is the possibilitythat the jackpot may not be activated immediately. Therefore, it becomesdifficult for the players to predict the subsequent event activation.Accordingly, the expectation of the players for events is maintained,thus enabling the interest of the players to be maintained.

Additionally, this embodiment is configured such that a jackpot isactivated within at least 50 games (that refer to the bingo games) afterthe condition of activation of each jackpot is satisfied. However, theinvention is not limited thereto, but the number of bingo games playedafter the condition of activation of each jackpot is satisfied until ajackpot is activated may be 50 games or more.

Jackpot Notification

The jackpot notification will now be described.

In the gaming machine 310 of this embodiment, when the condition ofjackpot activation is satisfied and the time of jackpot activation isdetermined, the jackpot notification is performed with respect to theplayers before the jackpot is activated.

The jackpot notification is performed by lighting up sails 311A to 311Eof the gaming machine 310 (see FIG. 1) with light (not shown). When toperform the jackpot notification is determined with reference to thejackpot notification execution time determination table to be describedlater.

Additionally, the jackpot notification may be performed by a methodother than that of lighting up the sails 311A to 311E of the gamingmachine 310 with light (not shown). For example, the jackpotnotification may be executed on the display 370 of the gaming terminal314.

Jackpot Notification Execution Time Determination Table

The jackpot notification execution time determination table will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show jackpot notification execution time determinationtables, respectively. FIG. 17 shows the first jackpot notificationexecution time determination table, and FIG. 18 shows the second jackpotnotification executing time determination table. The jackpotnotification execution time determination table stored in the ROM 408 ofthe lottery machine 312 is a table that determines in which round ofgame (that refers to the bingo game) the jackpot notification isperformed before a bingo game in which a jackpot is activated. Thejackpot notification execution time determination table includes an itemcalled the number of notification execution games and an item called arandom number range. The number of notification execution games refersto the number of bingo games obtained from a bingo game in which thejackpot notification is performed for a bingo game in which a jackpot isto activate.

A specific method of determining in which round of game (that refers tothe bingo game) a first jackpot notification is executed before a bingogame in which the first jackpot is activated will hereinafter bedescribed using FIG. 17.

First, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 selects a random numberfrom a predetermined random range (e.g., a range of “0” to “255”). Basedon the random number value selected, referring to the first jackpotnotification execution time determination table of FIG. 17, it isdetermined in which round of game (that refers to the bingo game) thefirst jackpot is activated after the bingo game satisfying the conditionof activation. For example, when the random number falls in a range of“51” to “100”, the first jackpot notification is executed in the bingogame that is two games before the bingo game satisfying the condition ofactivation of the first jackpot.

Thus, the jackpot notification is performed before the jackpot isactivated. Therefore, this can prevent the interest of the players frombeing reduced due to a sudden jackpot activation. Besides, it can beexpected to attract customers because of the notification of events,thus enabling an increase in the number of players participating in thegame.

Besides, in this embodiment, the jackpot notification execution timedetermination table is divided into two: the first jackpot and thesecond jackpot. However, this embodiment is not limited thereto, but thefirst and second jackpot notification execution time determinationtables may be integrated into the same one.

Cancellation of First Jackpot Activation and Cancellation of FirstJackpot Notification Execution

The Discover Treasure Island game of the first jackpot is a game inwhich medals are awarded to a predetermined number of players, e.g.,only up to three winners. Accordingly, even in case where thepredetermined number of players are not gathered, when the first jackpotis activated, the interest stimulated in competition with others issuppressed, so that there is the risk of reducing the interest in thegame.

Consequently, in this embodiment, even when the condition of activationof the first jackpot is satisfied, the number of players participatingin the game is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number, e.g.,three player or less, the first jackpot is withheld from activating. Inthis case, until the number of players participating in the game exceedsthe predetermined number, the first jackpot is not activated as a matterof course, and the jackpot notification is not executed, either.

Besides, when the first jackpot is cancelled, the time of generating thefirst jackpot is re-determined again. Similarly, when the first jackpotis cancelled, the time of executing the notification of the firstjackpot is re-determined again.

Thus, according to the invention, when the predetermined number ofplayers is not reached, the notification of the first jackpot is notexecuted, and the first jackpot is not activated, either. Accordingly,because the players want to enjoy the prizes of jackpots to the possiblemaximum, the players come to participate in the bingo game as often aspossible. As a result, it is possible to increase the number of playersparticipating in the game.

On the other hand, in the case of the second jackpot table, even whenthe number of players participating in the game is smaller than thepredetermined number, either the execution of notification of the secondjackpot or the activation of the second jackpot is not cancelled.

Thus, according to the invention, in case where the predetermined numberof game participants is not reached, even when one jackpot is cancelled,the other jackpot is not cancelled. Accordingly, the situation in whichno jackpot is activated at all can be avoided. As a result, it ispossible to avoid such a situation as to reduce the interest of theplayers.

First Pool Value Transfer Process

As aforesaid, in the first jackpot, when the predetermined condition isnot satisfied, the notification of the first jackpot is not executed,and the first jackpot is not activated, either. However, even though thefirst jackpot has a low payout, the jackpot pool value is obtained bymultiplying the number of medals bet by the players by the predeterminedrate. Therefore, when no jackpot is activated and no medal is restoredto the players, a burden is imposed on the players. Thus, there is therisk of reducing the interest of the players in the game. The reason isthat when the cancellation of the first jackpot continues in succession,the ratio of the number of medals inputted by the players to the numberof medals paid out, i.e., a payout ratio (hereinafter called P/O ratio),is reduced by the amount of the predetermined rate.

Consequently, the gaming machine 310 is configured as follows. That is,when the activation of the first jackpot is cancelled and the first poolvalue that is the pool value of the first jackpot becomes equal to orgreater than a predetermined numerical value called an upper limitvalue, a surplus pool value obtained by subtracting the upper limitvalue from the first pool value is transferred to the second pool valuethat is the pool value of the second jackpot. That is, the surplus poolvalue is added to the second pool value.

For example, when the second pool value is 509, the upper limit value200, and the first pool value 230, the surplus pool value 30 obtained bysubtracting the first pool value 200 from the first pool value 230 isadded to the second pool value 509, thus obtaining 539 of the secondpool value. Accordingly, the activation time of the second jackpot isput forward by the amount of the addition.

Thus, when the surplus pool value is transferred to the second poolvalue, the activation of the second jackpot is quickened by the amountof the transfer. Accordingly, this increases the chance of awarding alarge number of medals to the players, thus enabling an enhancement inthe expectation for the game. At the same time, the burden can beavoided from being imposed on the players, thus enabling the interest ofthe players to be prevented from being reduced.

Operation of Lottery Machine and Gaming Terminal

The process in the main control circuit 400 (see FIG. 10) of the lotterymachine 400 and the process in the main control circuit 500A (see FIG.11) of the gaming terminal 314A will be described with reference toFIGS. 19 to 23.

Operation of Lottery Machine

The process in the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312will be described with reference to FIG. 19.

At a step S100, the CPU 406 performs a game preparation process.Specifically, the lottery balls held on the screw conveyor are moved tothe lottery ball holding portion 332 in a predetermined number. Besides,in addition thereto, the CPU 406 performs various processes such asinclining the housing 313 at a predetermined angle. When this processends, the process moves to a step S101.

At the step S101, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 performs thedetermination of lottery start. The CPU 406 determines whether or not itis the time to start a lottery after the elapse of a predeterminedwaiting time. When this determination is YES, the process moves to astep S102, and when this determination is NO, the process moves to astep S103.

At the step S102, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 performs thetransmission of a lottery start signal. The CPU 406 transmits thelottery start signal via the communication control circuits 414A to 414Jto the gaming terminals 314A to 314J, respectively. When this processends, the process moves to a step S104. Additionally, the aforesaidlottery start signal is received by a to-be-described gaming terminal314 at a step S204 that is the process of the main control circuit 500Aof the gaming terminal 314.

On the other hand, at the step S103, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine312 performs waiting time consumption. The CPU 406 measures the timetaken until the predetermined waiting time has elapsed. When thisprocess ends, the process returns to the step S101.

At the step S104, the CPU 406 performs bet operation reception timeconsumption. The CPU 406 measures the time taken until a predeterminedbet operation reception time has elapsed. When this process ends, theprocess moves to a step S105.

As shown in FIG. 20, at the step S105, the CPU 406 receives the data ofthe number of bets. In this process, the CPU 406 receives the data ofthe number of bets transmitted at a step S214. When this process ends,the process moves to a step S107.

At a step S106, the CPU 406 calculates the pool value of each jackpotfrom the number of bets transmitted from each gaming terminal and storedthe resultant pool value in the RAM 410. Specifically, the CPU 406 addsthe number of bets per game transmitted from each gaming terminal andmultiplies the result by the predetermined rate of each jackpot, thuscalculating each pool value. And, the CPU 406 stores the calculationresult in a predetermined region of the RAM 410. When this process ends,the process moves to a step S107.

At the step S107, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the first poolvalue is equal to or greater than the first event value. In thisprocess, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the first pool valuestored in the RAM 410 at the step S105 is equal to or greater than thefirst event value stored in the ROM 408. When this determination is YES,the process proceeds to a step S108, and when this determination is NO,the process moves to a step S111.

At the step S108, the CPU 406 performs a first jackpot process. Thefirst jackpot process will be described later.

At a step S109, the CPU 406 receives the data of a game result of thefirst jackpot. In this process, the CPU 406 receives the data of thegame result of the first jackpot transmitted through the process of astep S218. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S110.

At the step S110, the CPU 406 transmits payout data corresponding to thegame result to each gaming terminal. In this process, the CPU 406transmits the payout data to each gaming terminal based on the data ofthe game result received through the process at the step S109. When thisprocess ends, the process moves to the step S111.

At the step S111, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the second poolvalue is equal to or greater than the second event value. In thisprocess, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the second pool valuestored in the RAM 410 at the step S105 is equal to or greater than thesecond event value stored in the ROM 408. When this determination isYES, the process proceeds to a step S112, and when this determination isNO, the process moves to a step S114.

At the step S112, the CPU 406 performs a second jackpot process. Thesecond jackpot process will be described later.

At a step S113, the CPU 406 receives the data of a game result of thesecond jackpot. In this process, the CPU 406 receives the data of thegame result of the second jackpot transmitted through the process of astep S224. When this process ends, the process moves to the step S114.

At the step S114, the CPU 406 transmits a payout data corresponding tothe game result to each gaming terminal. In this process the CPU 406transmits the payout data to each gaming terminal based on the data ofthe game result received through the process of the step S113. When thisprocess ends, the process moves to a step S115.

As shown in FIG. 21, at the step S115, the CPU 406 starts the rotationof the lottery wheel. By the control of the main control circuit 400 ofthe lottery machine 312, start lottery wheel rotating motors 335 and 337are started to start the rotation of the face portions 338A and 339A.When this process ends, the process moves to a step S116.

At the step S116, the CPU 406 starts to rock the housing. By the controlof the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the rockingdevice 346 is started to start rocking the housing of the lotterymachine 312. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S117.

At the step S117, the CPU 406 performs the process of dropping onelottery ball. By the control of the main control circuit 400 of thelottery machine 312, the rotating body 328 (see FIG. 1) is controlledand one lottery ball is dropped into the lottery ball receiving portion334. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S118.

At the step S118, the CPU 406 performs the process of obtainingidentification data. In this process, by the control of the main controlcircuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, one of the input ball detectionsensors 349 disposed in the plurality of lottery holes 340 detects theinput of one lottery ball, and the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312obtains an identification datum corresponding to the lottery hole 340.When this process ends, the process moves to a step S119.

At the step S119, the CPU 406 transmits the identification informationobtained by the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 and the informationof in which round of lottery is the current lottery. The CPU 406transmits the identification information and the information of in whichround of lottery is the current lottery, to the gaming terminals 314A to314J via the communication control circuits 414A to 414J, respectively.When this process ends, the process moves to the step S110.Additionally, the aforesaid information of in which round of lottery isthe current lottery is counted by the CPU 406 and stored in the RAM 410(see FIG. 10). Furthermore, the aforesaid identification information andthe information of in which round of lottery is the current lottery arereceived by the gaming terminal 314 at a step S214 that is the processof the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314 to bedescribed later.

At a step S120, the CPU 406 determines whether the CPU 406 of thelottery machine 312 has finished predetermined rounds of lottery.Referring to the aforesaid information of in which round of lottery isthe current lottery, which is stored in the RAM 410, the CPU 406determines whether this covers the predetermined rounds or not. Whenthis determination is YES, the process moves to a step S121, and whenthis determination is NO, the process returns to the step S117.

At the step S121, the CPU 406 finishes the rocking of the housing. Bythe control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312,the rocking device 346 is stopped to finish the rocking of the housingof the lottery machine 312. When this process ends, the process moves toa step S122.

At the step S122, the CPU 406 finishes the rotation of the lotterywheels. By the control of the main control circuit 400 of the lotterymachine 312, the lottery wheel rotating motors 335 and 337 are stoppedto finish the rotation of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. When thisprocess ends, the process moves to the step S100.

Operation of Gaming Terminal

A process of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 11) of the gamingterminal 314 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21.

As shown in FIG. 19, at a step S201, the CPU 506A performs theinitialization of the gaming terminal 314. The CPU 506A (see FIG. 11) ofthe gaming terminal 314 performs processes such as clearing of variousvariables arranged in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11) and initialization ofthe display of the display 370A. When this process ends, the processmoves to a step S202.

At the step S202, the CPU 506A performs of the display of ademonstration screen. When this process ends, the process moves to astep S203.

At the step S203, the CPU 506A performs the process of detecting a gameentry operation. In this process, the players make a game entry. By thecontrol of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, thetouch sensor 372A (or the main control circuit 500A itself) detects thatthe player has touch-operated the display screen of the display 370A (orhas operated the inner dial 376A or the outer dial 377A). When thisprocess ends, the process moves to a step S204.

At the step S204, the CPU 506A performs the process of receiving thelottery start signal. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 causes themain control circuit 500A (see FIG. 11) of the gaming terminal 314 toreceive, via the communication control circuit 514A, the lottery startsignal transmitted by the lottery machine 312 through the process of thestep S102. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S204.

At the step S209, the CPU 506A performs of creating and displaying abingo card. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 selects apredetermined number of display data from display data (e.g. a carddesign) for displaying identification information that are stored in theROM 508A, then arranges the predetermined number of display data inmatrix form, and displays them on the display 370A. When this processends, the process moves to a step S211.

At the step S211, the CPU 506A performs bet operation reception. In thisprocess, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 processes theinformation that is the information about a bet operation which theplayer has performed by touching the display screen of the display 370Aand that the touch sensor 372A has detected by the control of the maincontrol circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, and stores the betinformation in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11). When this process ends, theprocess moves to a step S212.

At the step S212, the CPU 506A determines the number of payouts inresponse to the number of bets. In this process, based on the betinformation stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11), the CPU 506A of thegaming terminal 314 determines the number of payouts in the game. Thedetermination result is stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11) anddisplayed on a predetermined display portion of the display 370A. Whenthis process ends, the process moves to a step S213.

At the step S213, the CPU 506A performs the determination of whether thebet reception time ends or not. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314measures the time taken after the process of the step S209 is performed,and determines whether or not the measured time reaches a predeterminedtime. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S214of FIG. 18, and when this determination is NO, the process returns tothe step S211.

As shown in FIG. 20, at the step S214, the CPU 506A transmits the dataof the number of bets. In this process, the CPU 506A transmits the datasignal of the number of bets detected by a medal sensor 380A to the CPU406 of the lottery machine 312. When this process ends, the processmoves to a step S215.

At the step S215, the CPU 506A determines whether a first jackpotgenerating command is received or not. In this process, the CPU 506Adetermines whether the first jackpot activation command transmittedthrough the process of the step S108 is received or not. When thisdetermination is YES, the process proceeds to a step S216, and when thisdetermination is NO, the process moves to a step S219.

At the step S216, the CPU 506A performs a first jackpot activationprocess. Specifically, the CPU 506A causes the display 370A of thegaming terminal 314A to display an image on the display screen 371Athereof. And, the players operate the inner dial 376A or the outer dial377A (see FIG. 8) to operate the mock telescope 397, thereby searchingfor the treasure island 379, thus performing the Discover TreasureIsland game. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S218.

At the step S218, the CPU 506A transmits the game result. In thisprocess, the CPU 506A transmits the result of the Discover TreasureIsland game to the CPU 406 of the main control circuit 400 of thelottery machine 312. When this process ends, the process moves to a stepS220.

At the step S219, the CPU 506A determines whether the payout data isreceived or not. In this process, the CPU 506A determines whether thepayout data transmitted through the process of the step S110 is receivedor not. When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to the stepS220, and when this determination is NO, the process moves to a stepS221.

At the step S220, the CPU 506A executes a dividend payout process. Inthis process, the CPU 506A transmits a drive signal to the hopper 588Aand executes the dividend payout. When this process ends, the processmoves to the step S221.

At the step S221, the CPU 506A determines whether a second jackpotactivation command is received or not. In this process, the CPU 506Adetermines whether the second jackpot activation command transmittedthrough the process of the step S112 is received or not. When thisdetermination is YES, the process proceeds to a step S222, and then thisdetermination is NO, the process moves to a step S225.

At the step S222, the CPU 506A performs a second jackpot activationprocess. Specifically, the CPU 506A causes the lottery balls to beinputted onto the lottery wheels 338 and 339 (see FIG. 4). The lotteryballs roll on the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and thereafter enter thelottery holes 340 and 341. And, when the playing-card symbols of thelottery holes 340 and 341 that the lottery balls have entered match theplaying-card symbols 701, 702 and 703, a large number of medals areawarded to the winning player. When this process ends, the process movesto a step S224.

At the step S224, the CPUA transmits the game result. In this process,the CPU 506A transmits the result of the symbol guessing game performedat the step S216 to the CPU 406 of the main control circuit 400 of thelottery machine 312. When this process ends, the process moves to thestep S220.

At the step S225, it is determined whether the payout data is receivedor not. In this process, the CPU 506A determines whether the payout datatransmitted through the process of the step S114 is received or not.When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to a step S226, andwhen this determination is NO, the process moves to a step S227.

At the step S226, the CPU 506A performs dividend payout. In thisprocess, the CPU 506A transmits the drive signal to the hopper 588A andperforms the dividend payout. When this process ends, the process movesto the step S227.

As shown in FIG. 21, at the step S227, the CPU 506A receives theidentification information that is transmitted through the process ofthe step S119 and is obtained by the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312at the step S118 (see FIG. 21) and the information of in which round oflottery is the current lottery. By the control of the main controlcircuit 500A (see FIG. 11) of the gaming terminal 314, the aforesaidinformation is received via the communication control circuit 514 a. TheCPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 stores the aforesaid identificationinformation and the information of in which round of lottery is thecurrent lottery into the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11). When this process ends,the process moves to the step S215.

At a step S228, the CPU 506A retrieves whether the identificationinformation received at the step S227 exists on the bingo card and, ifit exists, activates the corresponding bingo cell. In this process, itis retrieved whether or not the identification information received atthe step 214 exists on the bingo card that is created at the step S209and displayed on the display 370A. If any identical identificationinformation exists, a activation flag, placed in the RAM 510A (see FIG.11), of the bingo cell on which the identical identification informationis placed, is turned on. Furthermore, the aforesaid bingo cell on thescreen display of the display 370A is displayed so as to bedifferentiable from the other bingo cells in such a manner that it isrelatively brightly displayed or displayed with a half-tone dot meshingdisplay removed. When this process ends, the process moves to a stepS229.

At the step S229, the CPU 506A performs the determination of whether abingo hand is formed. In this process, the CPU 506A determines thecombination of: the identification information, configuring the bingocard, which is stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11) and displayed on thedevice 370A; the information about the position of the bingo cell onwhich the aforesaid identification information is placed; and aactivation flag corresponding to the aforesaid identificationinformation. Then, the CPU 506A determines whether or not a bingo handis formed on a specific line of the bingo card. When this determinationis YES, the process moves to a step S231, and when this determination isNO, the process moves to a step S230.

At the step S230, the CPU 506A performs the determination of whetheridentification information receive has reached a predetermined number oftimes. With reference to the information of in which round of lottery isthe current lottery, which is stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11), itis determined based on this information whether or not theidentification information receive has reached the predetermined numberof times. When this determination is YES, the process moves to the stepS201, and when this determination is NO, the process moves to the stepS227.

At the step S231, the CPU 506A executes a dividend payout process. Inthis process, the CPU 506A transmits a drive signal to the hopper 588Aand executes the dividend payout. When this process ends, the processmoves to the step S201.

First Jackpot Process

The first jackpot process to be executed at the step S108 will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 22.

First, in FIG. 22, the CPU 406 determines whether a first jackpotactivation flag is on or not (a step S401). When this determination isYES, the process moves to a step S402, and when this determination isNO, the process moves to a step S406.

At the step S402, the CPU 406 determines how many games after thecurrent game the first jackpot is activated. In this process, the CPU406 issues a signal to the random number generator 417 to the effectthat a random number is to be activated, and the random number samplingcircuit 418 selects a random number. Based on the selected random numberand the first jackpot activation time determination table, the CPU 406determines how many games after the game being currently played thefirst jackpot is activated.

Specifically, the CPU 406 selects a random number from the predeterminedrandom number range (e.g. a range of “0” to “255”). And, suppose thatthe selected random number falls in a range of “151” to “200”. Then,since the number of activation standby games is 15 games (see FIG. 15),the first jackpot is activated in the fifteenth game from the gamesatisfying the condition of activation of the first jackpot. When thisprocess ends, the process moves to a step S403.

At the step S403, the CPU 406 turns on the first jackpot activation flagand subsequently sets a first jackpot activation counter. In thisprocess, the CPU 406 turns on the first jackpot activation flag storedin a predetermined region of the RAM 410. Besides, the CPU 406 sets thefirst jackpot activation counter stored in the predetermined region ofthe RAM 410, in response to the number of activation standby gamesdetermined at the step S402. When this process ends, the process movesto a step S404.

At the step S404, the CPU 406 determines how many games before the firstjackpot activation game the first jackpot notification is executed. Inthis process, the CPU 406 selects a random number as at the step S402.Subsequently, based on the selected random number and the first jackpotnotification execution time determination table, the CPU 406 determineshow many games after the game being currently played the first jackpotnotification is activated.

Specifically, the CPU 406 selects a random number from the predeterminedrandom number range (e.g. a range of “0” to “255”). And, suppose thatthe selected random number falls in a range of “151” to “200”. Then,since the number of notification execution games is 4, the first jackpotnotification is performed four games before the game in which the firstjackpot is to activate. When this process ends, the process moves to astep S405.

At the step S405, the CPU 406 turns on a first jackpot notification flagand subsequently sets a first jackpot notification counter. In thisprocess, the CPU 406 turns on the first jackpot notification flag storedin a predetermined region of the RAM 410. Besides, the CPU 406 sets thefirst jackpot notification counter stored in a predetermined region ofthe RAM 410, in response to the number of notification execution gamesdetermined at the step S404. When this process ends, the process movesto a step S406.

At the step S406, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the number ofplayers participating in the game is the predetermined number, i.e.,four or more. In this process, the CPU 406 determines whether or not thenumber of players who have come for the bet operation reception of thestep S211 is four or more. When this determination is YES, the processproceeds to a step S407, and when this determination is NO, the processmoves to a step S413.

At the step S407, the CPU 406 determines whether the first jackpotnotification counter is 0 or not. When this determination is YES, theprocess proceeds to a step S409, and when this determination is NO, theprocess moves to a step S408.

At the step S408, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from the first jackpotnotification counter (step S408). In this process, the CPU 406 subtracts1 from the first jackpot notification counter and thereafter stores theresult into a predetermined region of the RAM 410. When this processends, the process moves to a step S410.

At the step S409, the CPU 406 executes a first jackpot notificationprocess and also turns off the first jackpot notification flag. In thisprocess, the CPU 406 performs the notification of notifying the playersthat the first jackpot will be activated within a few games. Besides,the CPU 406 turns off the first jackpot activation flag stored in thepredetermined region of the RAM 410. When this process ends, the processmoves to the step S410.

At the step S410, the CPU 506A determines whether the first jackpotactivation counter is 0 or not. When this determination is YES, theprocess proceeds to a step S412, and when this determination is NO, theprocess moves to a step S411.

At the step S411, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from the first jackpotactivation counter (step S411). In this process, the CPU 406 subtracts 1from the first jackpot notification counter and thereafter stores theresult into the predetermined region of the RAM 410.

At the step S412, when it is determined that the first jackpot counteris 0, a first jackpot activation command is transmitted and, at the sametime, the first jackpot activation flag is turned off (step S412). Inthis process, the CPU 406 transmits the first jackpot activationtransmission command to the CPU 506A of the main control circuit 500A ofthe gaming terminal 314A. Besides, the CPU 406 turns off the firstjackpot activation flag stored in the predetermined region of the RAM410. When this process ends, this sub-routine ends.

Besides, at the step S413, the CPU 406 executes a cancellation process.In this process, the CPU 406 turns off the first jackpot activation flagand the first jackpot notification flag. Besides, the first jackpotactivation counter and the first jackpot notification counter are set to0. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S414.

At the step S414, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the first poolvalue is equal to or greater than the first event value (step S414). Inthis process, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the first pool valuestored in the RAM 410 through the process of the step S213 is equal toor greater than the first event value. When this determination is YES,the process proceeds to a step S415, and when this determination is NO,this sub-routine ends.

At the step S414, the CPU 406 performs a first pool value transferprocess. In this process, the CPU 406 transfers a surplus pool value,obtained by subtracting the first event value from the first pool valuestored in a predetermined region of the RAM 410, to the second poolvalue stored in a predetermined region of the RAM 410. That is, thesurplus pool value is added to the second pool value, thus updating thesecond pool value.

Specifically, for example, when the second pool value is 409, the firstevent value is 200, and the first pool value is 230, then 30 of thesurplus pool value obtained by subtracting 200 of the first event valuefrom 230 of the first pool value is added to 409 of the second poolvalue. Thus, the second pool value obtained after the addition isupdated as 439 in the RAM 410. When this process ends, this sub-routineends.

Second Jackpot Process

The second jackpot process to be executed at the step S112 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 23.

First, in FIG. 23, the CPU 406 determines whether a second jackpotactivation flag is on or not (a step S501). When this determination isYES, the process moves to a step S502, and when this determination isNO, the process moves to a step S506.

At the step S502, the CPU 406 determines how many games after thecurrent game the second jackpot is activated. In this process, the CPU406 issues a signal to the random number generator 417 to the effectthat a random number is to be activated, and the random number samplingcircuit 418 selects a random number. Based on the selected random numberand the first jackpot activation time determination table, the CPU 406determines how many games after the game being currently played thesecond jackpot is activated.

Specifically, the CPU 406 selects a random number from the predeterminedrandom number range (e.g. a range of “0” to “255”). And, suppose thatthe selected random number falls in a range of “151” to “200”. Then,since the number of activation standby games is 30 games (see FIG. 16),the second jackpot is activated in the thirtieth game from the gamesatisfying the condition of activation of the second jackpot. When thisprocess ends, the process moves to a step S503.

At the step S503, the CPU 406 turns on the second jackpot activationflag and subsequently sets a second jackpot activation counter. In thisprocess, the CPU 406 turns on the second jackpot activation flag storedin a predetermined region of the RAM 410. Besides, the CPU 406 sets thesecond jackpot activation counter stored in a predetermined region ofthe RAM 410, in response to the activation standby number of gamesdetermined at the step S402. When this process ends, the process movesto a step S504.

At the step S504, the CPU 406 determines how many games before thesecond jackpot activation game the second jackpot notification isexecuted. In this process, the CPU 406 selects a random number as at thestep S402. Subsequently, based on the selected random number and thesecond jackpot notification execution time determination table, the CPU406 determines how many games after the game being currently played thesecond jackpot notification is activated.

Specifically, the CPU 406 selects a random number from the predeterminedrandom number range (e.g. a range of “0” to “255”). And, suppose thatthe selected random number falls in a range of “151” to “200”. Then,since the number of notification execution games is 4, the secondjackpot notification is performed four games before the game in whichthe second jackpot is to activate. When this process ends, the processmoves to a step S505.

At the step S505, the CPU 406 turns on a second jackpot notificationflag and subsequently sets a second jackpot notification counter. Inthis process, the CPU 406 turns on the second jackpot notification flagstored in a predetermined region of the RAM 410. Besides, the CPU 406sets the second jackpot notification counter stored in a predeterminedregion of the RAM 410, in response to the number of notificationexecution games determined at the step S504. When this process ends, theprocess moves to a step S506.

At the step S506, the CPU 406 determines whether the second jackpotnotification counter is 0 or not. When this determination is YES, theprocess proceeds to a step S508, and when this determination is NO, theprocess moves to a step S507.

At the step S507, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from the second jackpotnotification counter. In this process, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from thesecond jackpot notification counter and thereafter stores the resultinto a predetermined region of the RAM 410. When this process ends, theprocess moves to a step S509.

At the step S508, the CPU 406 executes a second jackpot notificationprocess and also turns off the second jackpot notification flag. In thisprocess, the CPU 406 performs the notification of notifying the playersthat the second jackpot will be activated within a few games. Besides,the CPU 406 turns off the second jackpot activation flag stored in thepredetermined region of the RAM 410. When this process ends, the processmoves to the step S509.

At the step S509, the CPU 406 determines whether the second jackpotactivation counter is 0 or not. When this determination is YES, theprocess proceeds to a step S510, and when this determination is NO, theprocess moves to a step S511.

At the step S510, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from the second jackpotactivation counter. In this process, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from thesecond jackpot notification counter and thereafter stores the resultinto the predetermined region of the RAM 410. When this process ends,this sub-routine ends.

At the step S511, the CPU 406 performs a second jackpot activationprocess. Besides, the CPU 406 a second jackpot activation command andalso turns off the second jackpot activation flag. In this process, theCPU 406 performs the second jackpot activation process. Specifically,the CPU 406 lights up the sails 311A to 311E of the gaming machine 310(see FIG. 1) with light (not shown). Besides, the CPU 406 transmits thesecond jackpot activation transmission command to the CPU 506A of themain control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314A. Besides, the CPU406 turns off the second jackpot activation flag stored in thepredetermined region of the RAM 410. When this process ends, thissub-routine ends.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. thatexecute the step S106 of FIG. 20 each correspond to an example of thecumulative storage unit of the invention.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, ROM 408 and RAM 406 thatexecute the steps S107 and S111 of FIG. 20 each correspond to an exampleof the event value achievement determination unit of the invention.

Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 506A, etc. that execute the stepsS216 and S222 of FIG. 20, and the CPU 406, etc. that execute the stepS412 of FIG. 22 or the step S511 of FIG. 23 each correspond to anexample of the event activation unit of the invention.

Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, random number generator 417,etc. that execute the step S402 of FIG. 22 and the step S502 of FIG. 23each correspond to an example of the event activation time determinationunit of the invention.

Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, random number generator, etc.that execute the step S404 of FIG. 22 and the step S504 of FIG. 23 eachcorrespond to an example of the event notification time determinationunit of the invention.

Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, etc. that execute the stepS409 of FIG. 22 and the step S508 of FIG. 23 each correspond to anexample of the event notification unit of the invention.

Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. that execute thestep S406, etc. of FIG. 22 each correspond to an example of thenumber-of-players determination unit or determination unit of theinvention.

Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. that execute thestep S415 of FIG. 23 each correspond to an example of the cumulativevalue transfer unit of the invention.

Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. that execute thestep S415 of FIG. 23 each correspond to an example of the surpluscumulative value storage unit of the invention.

Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. that execute thestep S415 of FIG. 23 each correspond to an example of the surpluscumulative value addition unit of the invention.

Modified Embodiments

In this embodiment, the gaming machine is configured as follows. Thatis, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 are disposed on a portioncorresponding to a deck of the lottery machine 312 imitating a ship. Theholes that the balls can enter are formed on the surfaces of the lotterywheels 338 and 339. The playing-card designs made to correspond to theholes that the balls have entered as the ship rocks are identified.Thus, when there exist any designs identical to the playing-card designsdisplayed on the bingo card, the corresponding bingo cells areactivated. As a result, when the activated bingo cells form a normalbingo hand on a specific line of the bingo card, prizes are awarded tothe winning players. In addition thereto, prizes are awarded to thewinning players even by generating events, i.e., a plurality ofjackpots. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example,the invention is also applicable to a so-called keno game or the likethat is played as follows. That is, after numbers are made to correspondto the holes, a lottery is performed by a similar method. Thus, theamount of payouts is determined according to how many numbers are drawnout of the numbers on a predetermined number of balls that a player hasselected in advance. That is, the configuration of the gaming machine312 (see FIG. 1) of this embodiment is also applicable to any lotterymachine for any game that can generate a plurality of jackpots.

The embodiment of the invention has been described above, which merelyillustrates a specific example and particularly does not limit theinvention. That is, the invention is the gaming machine that includes aplurality of gaming terminal devices having control panels operated byplayers and on which the players play a game upon payment of a gamevalue, the gaming machine including: the cumulative storage unit thatstores a plurality of kinds of cumulative values on a per unit gamebasis at a predetermined rate in response to the game value; the eventvalue achievement determination unit that determines whether or not anyof the plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulativestorage unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each of theplurality of kinds of cumulative values; and the event activation unitthat generates an event corresponding to the event value achieved, whenthe event value achievement determination unit determines that the eventvalue pre-set is achieved. However, the specific configuration of eachunit such as the cumulative storage unit, the event value achievementdetermination unit, and the event activation unit can be modified indesign as appropriate.

Additionally, the advantages described in the embodiment of theinvention are merely a listing of the most preferred advantages yieldedfrom the invention. Thus, the advantages of the invention are notlimited to the ones described in the embodiment of the invention.

According to this embodiment, even when the cumulative value or greaterat which an event activates is achieved, there is the possibility thatthe event does not activate immediately, thus making it difficult topredict the next event activation. Accordingly, the expectation of theplayer for the events is maintained, thus making it possible to maintainthe interest of the player.

According to this embodiment, the notification of an event is performedbefore the event activates, thus enabling the interest of the player tobe prevented from being reduced due to a sudden event activation.Besides, it can be expected to attract customers because of the eventnotification, thus enabling an increase in the number of the playerparticipating in the game.

In many cases, in a gaming machine of this type, a plurality ofterminals serving as game input units are disposed in an outerperipheral region of such a gaming machine so that a plurality ofplayers can simultaneously participate in the game. However, althoughthe contrivance of using various electric spectaculars is always made tolure a large number of players to simultaneously participate in thegame, in part because such a lure means is not beneficial to theplayers, there is the problem that such an effect as intended is notexpected.

According to this embodiment, since the one cumulative value does notincrease because of the transfer function of the cumulative valuetransfer unit, the event in which the cumulative value does not increaseis practically prohibited from activating, thus limiting the kinds ofevents to be activated as a result. Therefore, it becomes possible toexpect the human-induced lure function of attracting other playersbecause the players participating in the game themselves generate a hugevariety of events.

Moreover, even when the number of kinds of events to be activated isreduced, the amount that is subtracted at a predetermined rate from thegame value paid by each of the players the number of whom does not reachthe predetermined number is stored as the cumulative value that can berestored to the players participating in the game. Therefore, thefairness of the game can be maintained.

Additionally, in “transfers one of the plurality of kinds of cumulativevalues to another cumulative value for storage”, needless to say, apartial transfer may be performed instead of transferring all thecumulative values.

According to this embodiment, when an event to be activated is thepredetermined event and when only the predetermined number or less ofplayers participate in the game, the predetermined event is notactivated. Accordingly, this can motivate the players to participate inthe game as much as possible. Besides, the predetermined event is heldwhen there are a large number of players participating in the game, thusexerting a stage effect.

Besides, for example, when the predetermined event is a competition inspeed and is the event of awarding prizes only to the predeterminednumber, there is the risk of reducing a play instinct by generating theevent when only the predetermined number or less of players participatein the game. However, according to the invention, such a risk isavoided, thereby making it possible to maintain the play instinct.

According to this embodiment, when the activation of the predeterminedevent is stopped, the surplus cumulative value is added to a cumulativevalue other then the cumulative value serving as the chance ofgenerating the predetermined event. Accordingly, even when thepredetermined event does not activate, the activation of an event otherthan the predetermined event is facilitated. Therefore, it is possibleto avoid the situation in which the interest of the players is reducedbecause the predetermined event does not activate.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 24. FIG. 24is configured such that a bingo game is executed with the process of theaforesaid gaming machine 310 assigned separately to each gaming terminal700 and a game server 800.

As shown in FIG. 24, gaming terminals 700A, 700B, . . . and the gameserver 800 that is another computer are connected to a network 550. Thatis, these gaming terminals 700A, 700B, . . . are communicably connectedto the game server 800. Besides, the game server 800 includes a controlsection (not shown) and a storage section (not shown) for storing aprogram. The control section executes various processes in accordancewith the program stored in the storage section.

In this case, as will be described below, each gaming terminals 700A,700B, . . . and the game server 800 have separate units, therebyconfiguring one gaming system 900.

(A1) A cumulative storage unit that stores a plurality of kinds ofcumulative values on a per unit game basis at a predetermined rate inresponse to a game value.

(A2) An event value achievement determination unit that determineswhether or not any of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values storedby the cumulative storage unit has achieved an event value pre-set foreach of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values.

(A3) An event activation unit that generates an event corresponding tothe event value achieved, when the event value achievement determinationunit determines that the pre-set event value is achieved.

(A4) An event activation time determination unit that determines thetime at which the event activation unit generates the eventcorresponding to the event value, when the event value achievementdetermination unit determines that the event value pre-set is achieved.

(A5) An event notification time determination unit that determines thetime of performing the notification of the event corresponding to theevent value, when the event activation time determination unitdetermines the time of activation of the event corresponding to theevent value.

(A6) An event notification unit that performs the notification of theevent corresponding to the event value at the time determined by theevent notification time determination means.

(A7) A number-of-players determination unit that determines whether ornot the number of players participating in the game of the gamingmachine is equal to or smaller than a predetermined number that ispre-set.

(A8) A cumulative value transfer unit that transfers one of theplurality of kinds of cumulative values to another cumulative value forstorage, when the number-of-players determination unit determines thatthe number of players participating in the game is equal to or smallerthan the predetermined number.

(A9) A number-of-players determination unit that determines whether ornot the number of players participating in the game upon payment of thegame value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number, whenthe event activated by the event activation unit is a predeterminedevent.

(A10) An event stop unit that stops the activation of the predeterminedevent at the time determined by the event activation time determinationunit, when the determination unit determines that the number of playersparticipating in the game is equal to or smaller than the predeterminednumber.

(A11) A surplus cumulative value storage unit that stores, as a surpluscumulative value, the result obtained by subtracting a specific valuefrom a cumulative value that the event value achievement determinationunit determines has achieved the event value pre-set, when the eventactivation stop unit stops the activation of the predetermined event.

(A12) A surplus cumulative value addition unit that adds the surpluscumulative value stored by the cumulative value storage unit to anycumulative value other than the subtracted cumulative value out of theplurality of kinds of cumulative values.

(A13) came value data transmission unit that transmits to the gameserver the data of the game value paid by the players.

(A14) A game value data receive unit that receives the data of the gamevalue transmitted by the game value transmission unit.

(A15) A cumulative value data transmission unit that transmits to thegame server the data of the plurality of kinds of cumulative valuesstored by the cumulative storage unit.

(A16) A cumulative value data receive unit that receives the data of theplurality of kinds of cumulative values transmitted by the cumulativevalue data transmission unit.

As an example of a game system imitating the gaming machine of thisembodiment, the gaming terminal 700A, 700B, . . . has the aforesaidunits (A13) and (A16), and the game server 800 has the aforesaid units(A1) to (A12), (A14) and (A15), thereby enabling the formation of theone gaming system 900.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the gaming terminal 700A, 700B, . . .has the aforesaid units (A13) and (A16), and the game server 800 has theaforesaid units (A1) to (A12), (A14) and (A15), thereby forming the onegaming system 900. However, according to the invention, one gamingsystem may be constructed such that the gaming terminal 700A, 700B, . .. has any units other than the units (A14) and (A15), and the gameserver 800 has the remaining units.

According to this embodiment, even when the cumulative value or greaterat which an event activates is achieved, there is the possibility thatthe event does not activate immediately, thus making it difficult topredict the next event activation. Accordingly, the expectation of theplayers for the events is maintained, thus making it possible tomaintain the interest of the players.

According to this embodiment, the notification of an event is performedbefore the event activates, thus enabling the interest of the playersfrom being reduced due to a sudden event activation. Besides, it can beexpected to attract customers because of the event notification, thusenabling an increase in the number of players participating in the game.

In many cases, in a gaming machine of this type, for example, aplurality of terminals serving as game input units are disposed in anouter peripheral region of such a gaming machine so that a plurality ofplayers can simultaneously participate in the game. However, althoughthe contrivance of using various electric spectaculars is always made tolure a large number of players to simultaneously participate in thegame, in part because such a lure means is not beneficial to theplayers, there is the problem that such an effect as intended is notexpected.

According to this embodiment, since the one cumulative value does notincrease because of the transfer function of the cumulative valuetransfer means, the event in which the cumulative value does notincrease is practically prohibited from activating, thus limiting thekind of event to be activated as a result. Therefore, it becomespossible to expect the human lure function of attracting other playersbecause the players participating in the game themselves generate a hugevariety of events.

Moreover, even when the number of kinds of events to be activated isreduced, the amount that is subtracted at a predetermined rate from thegame value paid by each of the players the number of whom does not reachthe predetermined number is stored as the cumulative value that can berestored to the players participating in the game. Therefore, thefairness of the game can be maintained.

Additionally, in “transfers one of the plurality of kinds of cumulativevalues to another cumulative value for storage”, needless to say, apartial transfer may be performed instead of transferring all thecumulative values.

According to this embodiment, when an event to be activated is thepredetermined event and when only the predetermined number or less ofplayers participate in the game, the predetermined event is notactivated. Accordingly, this can motivate the players to participate inthe game as much as possible. Besides, the predetermined event is heldwhen there are a large number of players participating in the game, thusexerting a stage effect.

Besides, for example, when the predetermined event is a competition inspeed and is the event of awarding prizes only to the predeterminednumber, there is the risk of reducing a play instinct by generating theevent when only the predetermined number or less of players participatein the game. However, according to the invention, such a risk isavoided, thereby making it possible to maintain the play instinct.

According to this embodiment, when the activation of the predeterminedevent is stopped, the surplus cumulative value is added to a cumulativevalue other then the cumulative value serving as the chance ofgenerating the predetermined event. Accordingly, even when thepredetermined event does not activate, the activation of an event otherthan the predetermined event is facilitated. Therefore, it is possibleto avoid the situation in which the interest of the players is reducedbecause the predetermined event does not activate.

Besides, the advantages described in this specification are merely alisting of the most preferred advantages yielded from the invention.Thus, the advantages of the invention are not limited to the onesdescribed in this specification.

1. A gaming machine that includes a plurality of gaming terminal deviceshaving control panels operated by a player and on which the player playa game upon payment of a game value, the gaming machine comprising: acumulative storage unit that stores a plurality of cumulative values ona per game basis at a predetermined rate in response to the game value;an event value achievement determination unit that determines whether ornot any of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by thecumulative storage unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each ofthe plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and an event activationunit that activates an event corresponding to the event value achieved,when the event value achievement determination unit determines that theevent value pre-set is achieved.
 2. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, further comprising an event activation time determination unitthat determines a timing at which the event activation unit activatesthe event corresponding to the event value, when the event valueachievement determination unit determines that the event value pre-setis achieved.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, furthercomprising: an event notification time determination unit thatdetermines the time of performing the notification of the eventcorresponding to the event value, when the event activation timedetermination unit determines a timing of activation of the eventcorresponding to the event value; and an event notification unit thatperforms the notification of the event corresponding to the event valueat the time determined by the event notification time determinationunit.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising: anumber-of-players determination unit that determines whether or not thenumber of the prayer participating in the game of the gaming machine isequal to or smaller than a predetermined number; and a cumulative valuetransfer unit that transfers one of the plurality of kinds of cumulativevalues to other cumulative value for storage, when the number-of-playersdetermination unit determines that the number of the playerparticipating in the game is equal to or smaller than the predeterminednumber.
 5. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising:a number-of-players determination unit that determines whether or notthe number of the player participating in the game upon payment of thegame value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number, whenthe event activated by the event activation unit is a predeterminedevent; and an event stop unit that stops the activation of thepredetermined event at the time determined by the event activation timedetermination unit, when the number-of-players determination unitdetermines that the number of the player participating in the game isequal to or smaller than the predetermined number.
 6. The gaming machineaccording to claim 5, further comprising; a surplus cumulative valuestorage unit that stores, as a surplus cumulative value, the resultobtained by subtracting a specific value from a cumulative value thatthe event value achievement determination unit determine has achievedthe event value, when the event activation stop unit stops theactivation of the predetermined event; and a surplus cumulative valueaddition unit that adds the surplus cumulative value stored by thecumulative value storage unit to any cumulative value other than thesubtracted cumulative value out of the plurality of kinds of cumulativevalues.
 7. A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming terminaldevices on which a player plays a game upon payment of a game value; anda game server for transmitting/receiving the data of the game from theplurality of gaming terminal devices, wherein: the gaming terminaldevices each includes: an control panel operated by each of the player;and a game value data transmission unit that transmits to the gameserver the data of the game value paid by the player; and the gameserver includes: a game value data receive unit that receives the dataof the game value transmitted by the game value transmission unit; acumulative storage unit that stores a plurality of cumulative values ona per game basis at a predetermined rate in response to the game valuereceived by the game value data receive unit; an event value achievementdetermination unit that determines whether or not any of the pluralityof kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulative storage unit hasachieved an event value pre-set for each of the plurality of kinds ofcumulative values; and an event activation unit that activates an eventcorresponding to the event value achieved, when the event valueachievement determination unit determines that the event value pre-setis achieved.
 8. A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gamingterminal devices on which a player plays a game upon payment of a gamevalue; and a game server for transmitting/receiving the data of the gamefrom the plurality of gaming terminal devices, wherein: the gamingterminal devices each includes: an control panel operated by each of theplayer; a cumulative storage unit that stores a plurality of cumulativevalues on a per game basis at a predetermined rate in response to thegame value; and a cumulative value data transmission unit that transmitsto the game server the data of the plurality of kinds of cumulativevalues stored by the cumulative storage unit; and the game serverincludes: a cumulative value data receive unit that receives the data ofthe plurality of kinds of cumulative values transmitted by thecumulative value data transmission unit; an event value achievementdetermination unit that determines whether or not any of the pluralityof kinds of cumulative values received by the cumulative value datareceive unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each of theplurality of kinds of cumulative values; and an event activation unitthat activates an event corresponding to the event value achieved, whenthe event value achievement determination unit determines that the eventvalue pre-set is achieved.
 9. The gaming system according to claim 7,wherein the game server further includes an event activation timedetermination unit that determines the time at which the eventactivation unit activates the event corresponding to the event value,when the event value achievement determination unit determines that theevent value pre-set is achieved.
 10. The gaming system according toclaim 9, wherein the game server further includes: an event notificationtime determination unit that determines the time of performing thenotification of the event corresponding to the event value, when theevent activation time determination unit determines the time ofactivation of the event corresponding to the event value; and an eventnotification unit that performs the notification of the eventcorresponding to the event value at the time determined by the eventnotification time determination unit.
 11. The gaming system according toclaim 10, wherein the game server further includes: an eventnotification time determination unit that determines the time ofperforming the notification of the event corresponding to the eventvalue, when the event activation time determination unit determines thetime of activation of the event corresponding to the event value; and anevent notification unit that performs the notification of the eventcorresponding to the event value at the time determined by the eventnotification time determination unit.
 12. The gaming system according toclaim 10, wherein the game server further includes: a number-of-playersdetermination unit that determines whether or not the number of theplayer participating in the game of the gaming machine is equal to orsmaller than a predetermined number that is pre-set; and a cumulativevalue transfer unit that transfers one of the plurality of kinds ofcumulative values to another cumulative value for storage when thenumber-of-players determination unit determines that the number of theplayer participating in the game is equal to or smaller than thepredetermined number.
 13. The gaming system according to claim 10,wherein the game server further includes: a number-of-playersdetermination unit that determines whether or not the number of theplayer participating in the game upon payment of the game value is equalto or smaller than the predetermined number, when the event activated bythe event activation unit is a predetermined event; and an event stopunit that stops the activation of the predetermined event at the timedetermined by the event activation time determination unit, when thenumber-of-players determination unit determines that the number of theplayer participating in the game is equal to or smaller than thepredetermined number.
 14. The gaming system according to claim 13,wherein the game server further includes; a surplus cumulative valuestorage unit that stores, as a surplus cumulative value, the resultobtained by subtracting a specific value from a cumulative value thatthe event value achievement determination unit determines has achievedthe event value pre-set, when the event activation stop unit stops theactivation of the predetermined event; and a surplus cumulative valueaddition unit that adds the surplus cumulative value stored by thecumulative value storage unit to any cumulative value different from thesubtracted cumulative value out of the plurality of kinds of cumulativevalues.